Abstract:
The collection represents browse images and metadata for systematically georeferenced Radarsat-2 Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) satellite scenes. The browse scenes are not geometrically enhanced using ground control points, but are systematically corrected using sensor parameters. Full resolution precision geocoded scenes(corrected using ground control points) which correspond to the browse images ... can be ordered from MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., Vancouver, Canada. Metadata discovery is achieved using the online catalog http://neodf.nrcan.gc.ca OR by using the CWIC OGC CSW service URL : http://cwic.csiss.gmu.edu/cwicv1/discovery. The imaging frequency is C Band SAR : 5405.0000 MHz. RADARSAT-2 is in a polar, sun-synchronous orbit with a period of approximately 101 minutes. The RADARSAT-2 orbit will be maintained at +\/- 1 km in across track direction. This orbit maintenance is suitable for InSAR data collection. The geo-location accuracy of RADARSAT-2 products varies with product type. It is currently estimated at +\/- 30 m for Standard beam products. The revisit period for RADARSAT-2 depends on the beam mode, incidence angle and geographic location of the area of interest. In general, revisit is more frequent at the poles than the equator and the wider swath modes have higher revisit than t he narrow swath modes.

Purpose:
The RADARSAT program was born out the need for effective monitoring of Canada's waters for such purposes as ship detection, oil spill monitoring, and wind and surface-wave field estimation. Earth-observation satellites have an advantage over aerial surveillance missions. Satellites operate day and night in all weather conditions, and provide timely coverage of vast areas. Canada is a world leader ... in the operational use of space radar for sea ice monitoring. Some RADARSAT-2 capabilities that benefit sea and river ice applications are the multi-polarization options that improve ice-edge detection, ice-type discrimination, ice topography and structure information. The Radarsat-2 satellite was launched on Dec. 14, 2007. The satellite was funded by the Canadian Space Agency. Reception and archiving of the data occurs at ground stations operated by the Canada Centre For Mapping And Earth Observation, Natural Resources Canada.

Quality
systematically georeferenced data browse and metadata can be accessed in this data set. The maximum resolution of the processed products (which are ordered from MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd.(Vancouver) is 3 meters.

Access Constraints
none for metadata and browse through CSW. Processed products are ordered through MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd., Vancouver

Use Constraints
Processed products have their own licensing agreements.